Baron, Mason are honored by MAAC

Billy Baron of Canisius College is one of two repeat selections on the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference first team announced Monday. Baron was a unanimous choice of the MAAC coaches.

Baron, a 6-foot-2 senior guard, is the third leading scorer in the nation with a 24.4 average. However, Antoine Mason of Niagara, the second leading scorer (25.2), was only a second team selection.

Baron is the only holdover from last year’s all-MAAC team. However, George Beamon of Manhattan made the team for the second time. He was a first team selection in 2011-12, but missed the majority of last season due to injury. Beamon, also a unanimous selection, is averaging 19.7 points a game.

The other first-team selections are Ike Azotam of Quinnipiac and two Iona players, Sean Armand and A.J. English.

The first-teamers are eligible to be named Pepsi MAAC Player of the Year, also selected by the league’s coaches. The winner will be announced on Friday.

Meghan McGuinness of Niagara made the All-MAAC second team for women while Lauren D’Hont of Canisius and Victoria Rampado of Niagara were named to the All-Rookie team.

In Big 4 play tonight, the University at Buffalo can clinch the Mid-American Conference East championship but to do it the Bulls will have to knock off last year’s champion, Akron, on the road. UB already has clinched a top four finish and first round bye in the MAC Tournament which opens next week.

UB’s Joshua Freelove was named was named MAC East Player of the Week after his career-high 24 points versus Miami.